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Photo of a Ford Escape

Ford Escape

2005 Escape Hybrid: Ford's first hybrid and the first hybrid SUV in the U.S. market.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 28 sources

At a glance

0150300
127–250 hpPower
07.515
5.7–10.4 s0–60 mph
0125250
196–204 km/hTop speed
0200400
196–387 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,473–1,746 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.14510111213

Engine
1.5–3.0 L I3/I4/V6; Gen 4 offers turbo, hybrid and plug-in hybrid111
Layout
Front-engine; front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive1
Gearbox
5-speed manual; 4/6/8-speed automatics; 2005 Hybrid: CVT1511
Built at
Gen 1: KCAP, Claycomo, United States; Mazda Hōfu, Japan1

The story

Created to challenge the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the original Escape paired Ford and Mazda's CD2 platform with independent suspension. Ford's first car-based SUV spanned four generations, from model year 2001 through 2026.12

2001: Mazda partnership, CD2 foundations20012005: A hybrid SUV first, running at 330 volts20052008: New look, familiar CD2 machinery20082009: 240-hp V6 and six-speed automatics20092013: From boxy SUV to Kuga curves20132017: Larger grille, revised EcoBoost engines20172020: Carlike Escape, rugged Baby Bronco · Australia announces a plug-in Escape2020 Ford Maverick (Europe) (R20): 1993–1999R20Ford Escape (first generation): 2001–2007Ford Escape (third generation): 2013–2019 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones167818
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1993–1999Ford Maverick (Europe) (R20)
2001–2007Ford Escape (first generation)
2013–2019Ford Escape (third generation)
2001Mazda partnership, CD2 foundations
2005A hybrid SUV first, running at 330 volts
2008New look, familiar CD2 machinery
2009240-hp V6 and six-speed automatics
2013From boxy SUV to Kuga curves
2017Larger grille, revised EcoBoost engines
2020Carlike Escape, rugged Baby Bronco
2020Australia announces a plug-in Escape
  1. 2001

    Mazda partnership, CD2 foundations

    Ford and Mazda develop the original Escape for model year 2001 around the shared CD2 platform, a unibody and fully independent suspension.1

  2. 2005

    A hybrid SUV first, running at 330 volts

    Ford's first hybrid, also the first U.S. hybrid SUV, pairs a 2.3 L Atkinson four with a 94-hp motor, nickel-metal-hydride battery and eCVT.13

  3. 2008

    New look, familiar CD2 machinery

    The exterior and cabin are restyled, but size barely changes and the 2001–2007 powertrains stay; CD2 underpinnings continue.14

  4. 2009

    240-hp V6 and six-speed automatics

    The four grows from 2.3 to 2.5 L and reaches 171 hp, the 3.0 L V6 makes 240 hp, and six-speed automatics replace four-speeds.45

  5. 2013

    From boxy SUV to Kuga curves

    Europe's Kuga shapes the redesign: a 168-hp 2.5 L joins 1.6/2.0 L EcoBoost fours rated at 173/231 hp on regular or 178/240 hp on premium.67

  6. 2017

    Larger grille, revised EcoBoost engines

    The facelift brings a larger grille and Auto Start-Stop. A 179-hp 1.5 L replaces the 1.6 L; the 2.0 L EcoBoost rises to 245 hp.8

  7. 2020

    Carlike Escape, rugged Baby Bronco

    The softer, lower, wider Escape takes the carlike role beside the planned Baby Bronco, both using a front-drive-based unibody architecture.9

  8. 2020

    Australia announces a plug-in Escape

    ST-Line PHEV specifications promise 224 hp, a 2.5 L Atkinson four, 14.4-kWh battery, over 50 km electric range and a claimed 1.5 L/100 km combined.10

Every generation

  • Ford Maverick (Europe)
    R201993–1999
  • Ford Escape (first generation)
    Ford Escape (first generation)2001–2007
  • Ford Escape (third generation)
    Ford Escape (third generation)2013–2019
  • Ford Territory
    Ford Territory

Power over the years

From 127 hp to 250 hp in 19 years.

0100200300 20002005201020152020 hp 2001 · 127 hp · XLS 2.0 L Zetec2002 · 200 hp · XLT 3.0 L Duratec V62005 · 153 hp · 2.3 L Duratec four-cylinder2005 · 155 hp · Hybrid, combined output2009 · 171 hp · 2.5 L four-cylinder2009 · 240 hp · 3.0 L V62013 · 240 hp · 2.0 L EcoBoost, premium fuel2017 · 179 hp · 1.5 L EcoBoost2017 · 245 hp · 2.0 L EcoBoost2020 · 200 hp · SE Sport/Titanium Hybrid2020 · 224 hp · Australia ST-Line PHEV, announced2020 · 250 hp · SEL/Titanium 2.0 L turbo AWD 250 hp SEL/Titanium 2.0 L turbo AWD 127 hp XLS 2.0 L Zetec
1478101114
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2001127XLS 2.0 L Zetec
2002200XLT 3.0 L Duratec V6
20051532.3 L Duratec four-cylinder
2005155Hybrid, combined output
20091712.5 L four-cylinder
20092403.0 L V6
20132402.0 L EcoBoost, premium fuel
20171791.5 L EcoBoost
20172452.0 L EcoBoost
2020200SE Sport/Titanium Hybrid
2020224Australia ST-Line PHEV, announced
2020250SEL/Titanium 2.0 L turbo AWD

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • XLS

    Standard

    XLS

    2001–2007

  • Standard

    XLT

    2001–2007

  • XLT Sport

    Standard

    XLT Sport

    2002–2007

  • Limited

    Standard

    Limited

    2003–2007

  • S / SE / SEL / SE Sport / Titanium (2020)

    Standard

    S / SE / SEL / SE Sport / Titanium (2020)

    2020

  • Active / Platinum / Plug-in Hybrid

    Standard

    Active / Platinum / Plug-in Hybrid

    2024

  • Standard

    2.3 XLT (Asian market)

    2009

    144 hp
  • ST-Line / ST-Line Select / ST-Line Elite

    Standard

    ST-Line / ST-Line Select / ST-Line Elite

    2023

  • ST-Line / Vignale (Australia)

    Standard

    ST-Line / Vignale (Australia)

    2020

    245 hp
  • Hybrid / Limited Hybrid

    Standard

    Hybrid / Limited Hybrid

    2005–2007; 2009

  • Standard

    ST-Line PHEV (Australia)

    2020

    224 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early cars: upright SUV styling and a tailgate window that opens separately.16
  • 2008–2012 cars: square, trucklike proportions.17
  • 2013: curvy, carlike bodywork with little resemblance to the earlier boxy SUV.6
  • 2020: lower, wider proportions and a swept-back silhouette.9

Year by year

  1. 2005

    A redesigned front bumper freshens the nose; automatic models move the shifter from the steering column to the center console.14

  2. 2008

    Restyled exterior and cabin; overall size stayed almost identical to the 2001–2007 model.4

  3. 2008–2009 (Asia-Pacific)

    ZD cars gain a three-bar chrome grille, horizontal taillights, black B-pillars and body-color cladding.1

  4. 2013

    Curvier, more carlike styling replaces the earlier blocky two-box body.6

  5. 2017

    A larger front grille marks the facelift, accompanied by smaller changes inside.8

  6. 2023

    Exterior refresh; ST-Line Elite wears a mesh grille, larger rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels and body-color exterior trim.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Ford Escape
    Escape
    Photo of a Mazda Tribute
    Mazda Tribute

    Mazda Tribute

    Early Escape styling is more rugged; the Tribute shares its basic platform.12

Against its rivals

  • Escape vs Dodge Hornet GT Plus (2024)

    Highway fuel economy

    Escape32 mpg
    Dodge Hornet GT Plus (2024)28 mpg
    12

Prices

Value today $3.0K–$21.0K25

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $3,000–$21,000 2001 · $18,160 · US base2002 · $24,560 · US XLT V6 4WD, as tested2009 · $19,750 · US base, estimated2020 · $29,790 · US SE AWD, base2020 · $30,485 · US SE AWD, as tested2024 · $30,990 · US Active FWD, base2024 · $39,455 · US ST-Line Elite AWD, base2024 · $41,995 · US PHEV FWD, base 2001 · $18,160 · US base price, 2001 model year 2025 · $7,000 · 2004 XLT V6 4WD, 41k miles, BaT2026 · $10,250 · 2007 XLS 4WD manual, 89k miles, BaT $10.3K BaT, 2026
51112141527
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2001Launch price$18,160US base price, 2001 model year
2001Price when new$18,160US base
2002Price when new$24,560US XLT V6 4WD, as tested
2009Price when new$19,750US base, estimated
2020Price when new$29,790US SE AWD, base
2020Price when new$30,485US SE AWD, as tested
2024Price when new$30,990US Active FWD, base
2024Price when new$39,455US ST-Line Elite AWD, base
2024Price when new$41,995US PHEV FWD, base
2025Auction sale$7,0002004 XLT V6 4WD, 41k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,2502007 XLS 4WD manual, 89k miles, BaT
2026Value today$3,000–$21,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “13th over Thailand's 2,250-km rally route”
    • “An official driveway for The Sims 2”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Ford Escape - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2001-04 Ford Escape | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  3. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid - First Drive & Road Test Review - Truck Trend motortrend.com
  4. 2005-12 Ford Escape | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  5. 2009 Ford Escape - First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  6. 2013 Ford Escape EcoBoost First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  7. 2013-14 Ford Escape | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  8. Ford Escape 2013-2019: pros and cons, common problems samarins.com
  9. How the New Ford Escape Drew Inspiration from BMW Motorcycles | Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  10. New Ford Escape 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Plug-in hybrid headlines redesigned Mazda CX-5 rival - Car News | CarsGuide carsguide.com.au
  11. 2020 Ford Escape Struggles as a Value Play caranddriver.com
  12. Comparison Test: 2024 Dodge Hornet GT vs 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line caranddriver.com
  13. New Ford Escape Asian market facelift now in Sime Darby Auto Connexion showrooms! - paultan.org paultan.org
  14. 2002 Ford Escape XLT - Four Seasons Test - Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  15. No Reserve: 2007 Ford Escape XLS 4WD 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,250 on April 3, 2026 (Lot #236,214) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  16. Used Ford Escape review: 2001-2012 | CarsGuide carsguide.com.au
  17. 2008-2012 Ford Escape: Pros and Cons, Common Problems samarins.com
  18. Nissan Terrano II - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Toyota and Ford Conclude Licensing Agreements for Hybrid System and Emissions Purification Patents | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  20. Manhattan On A Tank Of Gas: Ford Escape Hybrid Takes On Nightmarish Traffic Jams With Clean Efficiency autointell.com
  21. NACTOY Winners & Finalists - North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year northamericancaroftheyear.org
  22. 汽車線上：2007 Asia Cross Country Rally 總成績出爐 auto-online.com.tw
  23. Download a Ford for The Sims 2 planetthesims.gamespy.com
  24. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  25. Ford Escape Past Auction Results - Bidbus bidbus.com
  26. Recall Update for 2020-2026 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles fromtheroad.ford.com
  27. No Reserve: 41k-Mile 2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,000 on August 26, 2025 (Lot #207,106) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Ford Escape Price & Specs | CarsGuide carsguide.com.au
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • consumerguide.com
  • motortrend.com
  • samarins.com
  • carsguide.com.au
  • caranddriver.com
  • paultan.org
  • bringatrailer.com
  • global.toyota
  • autointell.com
  • northamericancaroftheyear.org
  • auto-online.com.tw
  • planetthesims.gamespy.com
  • igcd.net

Photo credits

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